Arthritis is a leading cause of pain and disability. It affects roughly 91 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. Sadly, there is currently no cure for arthritis. Individuals have to take proactive steps to manage flare-ups and live with the disease. If you have arthritis, it’s important to know when is the right time to visit a pain clinic.
When Should I Visit A Pain Clinic?
If you’ve been living with arthritis, you are probably familiar with at-home options for joint pain. Most people find that conservative treatments can relieve mild arthritis symptoms. Taking pain relievers or applying hot or cold packs can be helpful. Sometimes, taking a break and resting the joints does the trick.
However, in some cases, home remedies may no longer be enough. When arthritis is in its advanced stages, conservative methods may not offer the same results. If you have arthritis, here are some situations when it’s worth visiting a pain clinic.
Symptoms Last For Over A Week
Persistent pain and other symptoms warrant a trip to a pain clinic. If you no longer respond to conservative treatments, it’s time to explore other treatments with the help of a doctor. A pain specialist can perform a thorough assessment and recommend appropriate treatments.
Depending on the diagnosis, your doctor may increase your medication dosage. There are a plethora of other treatments that may work better for you, as well. They may also recommend that you take it easy with exercise for the time being.
Irregular Symptoms
Most people living with arthritis have a baseline of pain that they know well. For instance, you may have noticed that your joints often act up in the morning for 15-20 minutes, and the pain fades after that. You will know how to handle these symptoms since you’ve experienced them before.
However, you may come across unusual symptoms at some point, some of which are sharp pain beyond the usual severity or a hot joint. These are red flags that something may be wrong. Some doctors call this “a joint out of phase.” These symptoms usually indicate an infection, especially when they come with fever or chills.
Are you experiencing irregular and excessive pain? If yes, it’s best to visit a pain clinic near you right away. Immediate treatment is necessary to prevent an infection from spreading and causing complications.
You Have Other Chronic Conditions
Sometimes, older adults with arthritis may have other chronic medical conditions. Most of them require the use of a cocktail of medications. These medications alone are usually harmless and effective. However, some drugs taken together can cause side effects and end up aggravating symptoms of other conditions.
One example is taking non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This type of medication, often used for joint pain, can worsen ulcers. Similarly, pain medications can increase risks for individuals with heart or kidney disease.
If you have arthritis and other accompanying conditions, visit a pain clinic to ensure you’re taking the right medications. They will know if you need to adjust your current medications to prevent complications. Depending on the diagnosis, they may also recommend other treatments to reduce your reliance on drugs.
What Can A Pain Clinic Do For Me?
If you’re suffering from chronic pain due to arthritis, it helps to know your treatment options. A pain clinic offers a wide range of treatments to help manage arthritis. Pain management doctors can limit the impact of arthritis on your daily life. They can also help you find an effective alternative to surgery.
Your doctor can offer interventional pain management for effective results. These procedures include:
- Corticosteroid injections
- Viscosupplementation injections
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
- Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
- Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation
Pain Clinic Near Me In Melbourne, FL
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to arthritis pain management. What may be effective for one person may not necessarily work for you. That’s why it’s essential to find a doctor who can design a treatment plan around your specific needs.
If you would like personalized treatment options for arthritis pain, visit Central Florida Spine & Pain today. Dr. Nicholas Giordano is a board-certified specialist in interventional pain management. He will work with you to craft a highly individualized and effective treatment plan. You can trust Dr. Giordano and our team to help you manage your arthritis effectively.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Giordano, call us today at (321) 802-5021 or fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to getting you back to the life you enjoy!
